Improving plant biodiversity on your ranch will often increase forage supply, forage quality, and soil health, along with carbon capture potential. Increasing plant biodiversity often comes in the form of interseeding or overseeding desirable grasses and/or legumes to change the composition or productivity of a forage base. Forbs can also be of interest but are not considered here.

In recent years, mRNA vaccine technology and all its promises have drifted into public discourse. This year, the possibility of an mRNA vaccine made its way into the beef world, sparking debates, rumors and uncertainty, prompting public statements from major industry leaders.

Cattle grazing may be a good use of cattle grazing land, but it may not be the only good use. Particularly as nationwide climate goals have driven investment throughout the country in clean electric and carbon offset technologies, cattle graziers may find new market opportunities to make mixed use of cattle grazing land.

One major result of the pandemic has been to bring more people into parks and public lands for hiking, biking and other recreational activities. In areas like California’s East Bay Regional Parks where about 65% of the land is grazed by livestock – visitors might see goats, sheep and, most likely, cattle. Those encounters with animals (or their manure) represent a prime opportunity for members of the public to learn about agriculture and the ecological benefits of rangelands.